U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Brazil’s new Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira on Tuesday and discussed a trip to Washington by newly sworn-in leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. They also talked about Venezuela, ministry sources told Reuters. At a time when the Biden administration is relaxing some sanctions on Venezuela, the new Brazilian government could become a bridge with Caracas due to Lula’s good relations with Venezuelan leaders, they said.(https://neuters.de/world/americas/blinken-talks-lula-white-house-visit-venezuela-with-top-brazil-diplomat-2023-01-03/) Blinken called Vieira for a 40-minute chat that covered among other issues cooperation on the environment and trade. “We look forward to continuing the strong partnership between the United States and Brazil on trade, security, sustainable development, innovation and inclusion,” Blinken said on Sunday by Twitter, congratulating Lula on his victory. The two governments are working on a date for a visit to Washington by Lula, the U.S. State Department said. Brazil’s Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. One source said the trip could take place in February.